Ag News
The optimum time to apply fertilizer
With record high input prices, farmers should maximize the efficiency of fertilizer applications to help increase return on investment by boosting yields at harvest time. In this episode of Managing for Profit, an agronomist says [Read More…]
Producer says caring for animals is the ‘right thing to do’
A north central Indiana pork producer wants consumers to know that he and other producers care about animal welfare. Healthy Living: …
Ag economist expects crop input costs to steady
An extension ag economist expects 2023 crop input costs to be comparable to the past year. Chad Hart with Iowa State University tells Brownfield price increases should be less intense relative to 2021 and 2022. [Read More…]
Cattle futures take profits as direct trade gains on week
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were lower on profit taking, essentially buying expectations of higher direct trade on Thursday, then selling the fact on Friday. February live was down $.95 at $157.90 [Read More…]
Swine industry faced several disease threats in 2022
The pork industry faced several disease threats in 2022. Dr. Paul Sundberg with the Swine Health Information Center says some were at home and others abroad. “Both on the domestic (side) with tracking PRRS and [Read More…]
Ag economist outlines areas to watch in the dairy sector
Demand for dairy has been cooling in the second half of 2022 at the same time milk production numbers have started to rise. A dairy economist says that could flip in the year ahead. Nate [Read More…]
Soybeans, wheat end 2022 on a strong note
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying, cementing solid week-to-week gains and keeping the January through August contracts above $15. Soybeans hit six-month highs and March bean meal established a fresh contract high on [Read More…]
Senator discusses agriculture challenges
The agriculture industry continued to face challenges in 2022. U.S. Senator Mike Braun says ag input prices and availability are a concern with the ongoing supply chain disruptions. “Agriculture has been a challenge to say [Read More…]
Mint-based herbicide could offer solution for resistant weeds
A new herbicide technology derived from mint plants could help growers battle resistant weeds. Harpe BioHerbicide Solutions Co-Founder Daniel Pepitone tells Brownfield mint is readily available and contains a molecular compound that has been found [Read More…]
Interest in fresh fruits year-round is ongoing
Demand for having access to some fresh fruits year-round has continued despite rising food costs. David Magaña with Rabobak tells Brownfield retail sales and consumer demand have held steady this year Healthy Living: …
No resolution on ag labor reform
The National Potato Council is disappointed Congress couldn’t reach an agreement on ag labor reform in the lame duck session. CEO Kam Quarles says it was too heavy of a lift to include in the [Read More…]
Analyst calls South American corn production prospects “precarious”
A market analyst suggests South American corn production is in a precarious spot. Michael Cordonnier with Soybean and Corn Advisor tells Brownfield the crop is expected to be about two percent bigger compared to last [Read More…]
Solid week of exports for most U.S. commodities
U.S. grain and oilseed export sales generally showed improvements during the week ending December 22nd. The USDA says corn, soybean, wheat, soybean oil, rice, and cotton sales all moved higher, while soybean meal declined and [Read More…]
John Deere Operations Center
John Deere digital specialist coordinator Doug Dickman says Operations Center is Deere’s farm management information system that helps growers analyze data from the field as well as machine performance to guide decisions in a user-friendly [Read More…]
Public Power utilities will continue to offer innovative solutions
Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash The American Public Power Association is reflecting on gaining access to a comparable energy tax incentive that was previously unavailable for public power utilities and rural electric [Read More…]
EPA sticks with pre-2015 WOTUS rule framework
The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers have upheld their promise to release a final Waters of the United States rule by the end of 2022. The final rule goes back to the [Read More…]
Local researcher exploring ways to better measure SCN treatments
Because Soybean Cyst Nematode is difficult to manage, Mandy Bish with the University of Missouri is trying to find more efficient ways to measure the effectiveness of SCN treatments. “We’re looking at how to build [Read More…]
Storminess to greet the New Year: Drought relief in the West, on the Plains, across the Corn Belt; severe weather in the South
Precipitation (mostly rain) across the southern and eastern U.S. will shift eastward, ending along the Atlantic Seaboard late Saturday or early Sunday—except for some residual snow in northern New England. Meanwhile, multiple Pacific storm systems [Read More…]
Drought relief continues in the West; mild, wet weather across the Midwest Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, chilly conditions persist across the upper Midwest, where an extensive snow cover remains in place. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, has reported at least an inch of snow on the ground each day [Read More…]
Cattle futures up on direct cash optimism
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle were higher, with traders optimistic ahead of the week’s widespread direct business. February live was up $1.05 at $158.85 and April was $.67 higher at $162.45. January feeders [Read More…]